Project description

The Engage2020 project will provide an overview of potential praxis in Horizon 2020 for societal engagement in research and innovation and related activities, with the aim of increasing the use of such praxis. The overview will cover praxis of existing policies and structures, of methods, approaches, tools and instruments, of promising new or adapted policies / methods, and of praxis which is specifically suited for engaging society in research and innovation activities related to the six Grand Challenges.

The project will set up a frame, which can embrace all potential approaches to engagement by treating all four levels of complexity in research and innovation activities:

research policy formation,

program development,

research project definition, and

engagement in the concrete research or innovation activity

For each of these levels praxis will be structured according to which types of participants the specific praxis can include (CSO's, citizens, affected persons or groups, consumers, employees, users and others).

Because of the time frame of Horizon 2020, the project will already deliver main results in autumn 2014, so that the results are ready for inclusion in the 2015 calls of Horizon 2020. After autumn 2014 the results will be specified and adapted for use on specific Grand Challenges and dissemination towards large user groups will begin, so that proposers to the 2014 calls may be able to use the outcomes directly in their proposals.

The project includes a strong dissemination and communication strategy in order to ensure proper uptake of the results by the broad range of user groups.

The Engage2020 consortium consists of experts and practitioners of participation in STI related issues at all levels of engagement.

ITAS will be responsible for the provision of a broad overview of the scientific discussion on public engagement in different societal fields and for the development of policy options for fostering the role of public engagement in research and innovation processes.